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Disclaimer

Images

We do our best to use images that are open source. If you feel
we have used an image of yours inappropriately please let us
know and we will fix it.

Accuracy

Our writing can be punchy but we do our level best to ensure
the material is accurate. If you believe we have made a mistake,
please let us know.

Visits

If you are planning to see an artwork, please keep in mind that
while the art we cover is held in permanent collections, pieces
are sometimes removed from display for renovation or traveling
exhibitions.

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You might assume from this work that Grayson Perry has some sort of personality disorder.

Grayson Perry portrays all aspects of himself on this vase...and those aspects have names and personalities. One well known one is Claire, his feminine/transvestite alter-ego who loves kinky sex (see: the bound and gagged woman). Another one comes straight from his childhood, and it is his teddy bear, Alan Measles. Alan is Perry’s most masculine self, and actually serves as a father figure for the artist. Perry himself probably exists somewhere in between.

In 1998, Perry underwent psychotherapy. There he learned that these aspects of himself were not caused by outside sources, which was his belief for most of his life. He finally claimed ownership over these personalities and slapped them on ceramic for the world to see. This piece bears a lot of resemblance to another vase by Perry called My Gods, but this one contains a lot less violence and discord. Looking at the two works together gives a strong visual of how psychotherapy changed Perry’s perception of his life. Or should we say lives?